The Impact of Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty on Resident Training.

BACKGROUND: As robotic-assisted total knee replacement (rTKA) continues to gain popularity, the impact of this technology on resident education remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe trainee experience and perceptions of rTKA and its effect on surgical training. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty two senior orthopaedic residents attending a national board review course completed a 17-question survey regarding their experience and perceptions regarding rTKA. Mean and standard deviations were calculated for Likert scale questions, and bivariate analyses were utilized to compare answer groups. RESULTS: Seventy percent of respondents reported exposure to rTKA during their training. Of those with robotic exposure, 20% reported that greater than half of their TKA experience involved robotics. Only 29% percent agreed that robotics improved outcomes, whereas 21% disagreed and the remainder were unsure. Over half of respondents agreed that robotics are used primarily for marketing purposes. Of those who trained with rTKA, 45% percent believed that robotics improved their understanding of the surgical procedure; however, 25% felt robotics negatively compromised their training with traditional instrumentation. Higher robotic case exposure (P = .001) and attending an industry-sponsored course (P = .02) was associated with the belief that robotics improved outcomes. Robotic case volume and percentage was associated with the belief that robotics improved understanding of the surgical procedure, however, it also was associated with reduced comfort performing traditional knee arthroplasty (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Current resident training experience varies greatly within the United States with regards to rTKA. While exposure to rTKA may be beneficial for a well-rounded surgical education, over-exposure likely results in decreased comfort with traditional instrumentation.

Intraoperative navigation and preoperative templating software are associated with increased glenoid baseplate screw length and use of augmented baseplates in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative templating software and intraoperative navigation have the potential to impact baseplate augmentation utilization and increase screw length for baseplate fixation in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). We aimed to assess their impact on the (1) baseplate screw length, (2) number of screws used, and (3) frequency of augmented baseplate use in navigated rTSA. METHODS: We compared 51 patients who underwent navigated rTSA with 63 controls who underwent conventional rTSA at a single institution. Primary outcomes included the screw length, composite screw length, number of screws used, percentage of patients in whom 2 screws in total were used, and use of augmented baseplates. RESULTS: Navigation resulted in the use of significantly longer individual screws (36.7 mm vs. 30 mm, P < .0001), greater composite screw length (84 mm vs. 76 mm, P = .048), and fewer screws (2.5 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 1, P = .047), as well as an increased frequency of using 2 screws in total (35 of 51 patients [68.6%] vs. 32 of 63 controls [50.8%], P = .047). Preoperative templating resulted in more frequent augmented baseplate utilization (76.5% vs. 19.1%, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The difference in the screw length, number of screws used, and augmented baseplate use demonstrates the evolving role that computer navigation and preoperative templating play in surgical planning and the intraoperative technique for rTSA.

Prognostic Usefulness of Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Long-term outcomes after TAVR with the Edwards SAPIEN valve in patients who develop AKI postoperatively are currently not well described. We retrospectively reviewed 384 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR at 2 institutions from August 2006 to April 2012. AKI was defined and staged according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. The incidence, multivariate predictors, and association of AKI with 3-year mortality were evaluated. Stage 1 AKI occurred in 24.0% of patients (92 of 384), stage 2 in 5.5% (21 of 384), and stage 3 in 8.1% (31 of 384). The overall operative mortality rate was 7.6%, with a mortality of 3.0% in patients with no kidney injury, 7.6% in stage 1, 23.8% in stage 2, and 32.3% in stage 3. The incidence of new postoperative dialysis was 3.1%. Survival at 3 years for no-AKI/stage 1/stage 2/stage 3 was 59.2 ± 3.3%, 43.4 ± 5.2%, 27.8 ± 10.0%, and 25.4 ± 7.9%, respectively. Logistic regression modeling for the combination of stage 2 or 3 AKI after surgery demonstrated that the last preoperative creatinine (for each 1 mg/dl increase, odds ratio = 3.23, 95% CI 1.83 to 5.69; p <0.001) and dye load (for each 10 ml increase, odds ratio = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08; p = 0.006) were significant predictors for AKI. In conclusion, AKI after TAVR is associated with increased postoperative and 3-year mortality. Significant multivariate predictors are potentially modifiable before the procedure.

Randomized trial of surgical cutdown versus percutaneous access in transfemoral TAVR.

OBJECTIVES: To compare iliofemoral arterial complications with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) utilizing surgical cutdown versus percutaneous access with closure devices in a randomized trial. BACKGROUND: Major vascular complications following TAVR are a significant risk of the procedure. There are no randomized data comparing whether access method in TF-TAVR influences the risk of such complications. METHODS: From June to December 2011, 30 consecutive patients undergoing TF-TAVR were randomized to either surgical cutdown (C) or percutaneous (P) access. Subjects underwent preoperative CT scans, pre- and post-operative bilateral femoral arterial ultrasound and angiography. The primary endpoint was the composite of major and minor vascular complications at 30 days, as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2. Multivariate predictors of vascular complications were identified. RESULTS: Of the 30 subjects enrolled, 27 were treated with the randomized method of access as randomized. Iliofemoral complications were observed in eight patients (26.7%; C = 4, P = 4), all of which were dissections and/or stenoses that required percutaneous and/or surgical intervention. There were two (13.3%) major and two (13.3%) minor complications in each group. Two covariates that were significantly associated with vascular complications included female sex and baseline femoral arterial velocity on ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: While surgical cutdown in TF-TAVR is the recommended access for new centers initiating a TAVR program, this small randomized pilot study suggests the lesser invasive percutaneous method in an experienced center is equivalent in safety to the surgical method. Doppler ultrasound may be useful in predicting complications prior to the procedure.